Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
- burpgun
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Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Hey all. I own a Gibson SG Classic with the big guard. After a lot of years with Jazzmasters the big open space on the SG behind the bridge kind of bugs me, and I'd like to have some bending options beyonds pulling on the neck. I've been looking into a Vibramate/Bigsby combo given the no drill part of the equation. Any did this and have tales to tell?
- Lost In Autumn
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Have you considered a Les Trem? I have two guitars with them and two with Bigsbys- I prefer the Les Trem by a wide margin.
- Larry Mal
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
I have done a Bigsby/Vibramate combination on a Les Paul, it looks sharp I guess. If I put any other kind of vibrato unit on a Gibson type guitar it will be a Les Term, and the reason is the Les Term costs $100.
To get a high quality American made Bigsby isn't cheap, you add the Vibramate to it and that's expense, also I added some Callaham mods to my Bigsby to make it work better and that added expense also. It was at least $300 by the time I was done.
To get a high quality American made Bigsby isn't cheap, you add the Vibramate to it and that's expense, also I added some Callaham mods to my Bigsby to make it work better and that added expense also. It was at least $300 by the time I was done.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- burpgun
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Interesting, was totally unaware of the Les Trem. I'm guessing having one of those works with the standard tune-o-matic bridge with those little sharp saddles? To the extent I would use the system, it would be quick subtle, no dive bomb attempts or anything like that. It also looks like the Les Trem would not risk any conflict with the Roland GK-3 pickup I've got on the guitar, so that's a plus.
- Larry Mal
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
The Les Trem 2 will work with the sharp V saddle type TOM bridge as well as any vibrato will work with that, which is to say, not particularly well. That design simply wasn't made to accommodate vibrato use and it doesn't.
With my Bigsby B7 on my Les Paul, I never, ever had it come back in tune. Not once. I had the Callaham mods, a very high quality (non-roller) Faber bridge, locking tuners and all that. Still never arrived back in tune.
I do not think the Les Trem will be much better. The flaw is the "V" notch on a typical TOM saddle. If you get a vibrato and care about it working in tune, then you'll need to get a roller bridge or something.
I decided I cared more about the quality of my Faber bridge than I did the tremolo, so I sold it on.
With my Bigsby B7 on my Les Paul, I never, ever had it come back in tune. Not once. I had the Callaham mods, a very high quality (non-roller) Faber bridge, locking tuners and all that. Still never arrived back in tune.
I do not think the Les Trem will be much better. The flaw is the "V" notch on a typical TOM saddle. If you get a vibrato and care about it working in tune, then you'll need to get a roller bridge or something.
I decided I cared more about the quality of my Faber bridge than I did the tremolo, so I sold it on.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- Lost In Autumn
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
On the other hand, it works quite well with roller bridges that replace traditional Tune-O-Matic bridges.
- Maggieo
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Rivolta uses Les Trems. They're pretty great.
Rivolta Combinata XVII, January 24, 2020 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
If you want an even softer touch, Reverend has a soft touch spring for the Les Trem.
Rivolta Combinata XVII, January 24, 2020 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr
If you want an even softer touch, Reverend has a soft touch spring for the Les Trem.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
- Larry Mal
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Man, that guitar looks great. I remember not being so impressed by the Rivoltas when they first came out, now I wonder why.
That's yours, Maggie? Congratulations.
That's yours, Maggie? Congratulations.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- CorporateDisguise
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
I have a Vibramate/Bigsby B5 on my Firebird. Couldn’t get it to hold tune with the tunamatic, so I got a Graphtech bridge with Tusc saddles, and that didn’t help either. Eventually got a Tonpros roller bridge that works perfectly. I also gave it a Tusc nut. With the roller bridge it is one of my most stable guitars tuning wise.
- Ozone7
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
Yes, I did exactly that.
Vibramate with a B5 to an SG Classic in trans black.
It’s awesome. It also helped with most of the neck pull I had on the guitar. The lump of metal just looks great imho as it balances what is otherwise a fairly big expanse of flat wood. I know….horses for courses.
Tuning stability is fine (better than the short vibrola on my Flying V) and it works for most subtle trem action.
It’s not a JM tremolo (which I’m fairly new to but really like) but it’s not far off a strat.
I’d do it. Just make sure you get the right Vibramate for the batwing. It’s the offset one, if I remember correctly.
Vibramate with a B5 to an SG Classic in trans black.
It’s awesome. It also helped with most of the neck pull I had on the guitar. The lump of metal just looks great imho as it balances what is otherwise a fairly big expanse of flat wood. I know….horses for courses.
Tuning stability is fine (better than the short vibrola on my Flying V) and it works for most subtle trem action.
It’s not a JM tremolo (which I’m fairly new to but really like) but it’s not far off a strat.
I’d do it. Just make sure you get the right Vibramate for the batwing. It’s the offset one, if I remember correctly.
- Maggieo
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Re: Vibramate plus Bigsby for SG
It was mine. I traded it for the Greco Les Paul.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.